The Mariners fell behind early to the Diablo Valley College Vikings on the road Friday. Though it appeared Marin was destined for a loss, eighth inning fireworks gave the Mariners the victory. Jacob Berg smashed a two-run homer as the Mariners went on to win 3-2, pushing their overall record back to .500 in the 2020 season.
Marin trailed 2-1 in the top of the eighth inning. Vikings reliever Justin Tamelier retired Marin in order in the seventh and set down Joseph Bogdan and Tyler Shelley to begin the eighth inning. Leadoff hitter Anthony Pomilia managed a single, Marin's third hit of the game, bringing Berg up to the plate as the go ahead run. The sophomore centerfielder did not disappoint as he blasted a two-run homer to put the Mariners on top 3-2.
Matt Lozovoy pitched through some trouble to record a scoreless seventh inning and remained on the hill for the eighth. He allowed a pair of two out baserunners, but struck out the final batter to end the threat. The Mariners failed to score in the ninth and Lozovoy took the mound looking to close out the game and secure the victory for himself and his team. He started off with a comebacker for the first out, before allowing a walk and a wild pitch. Despite having the tying run in scoring position, he focused in and struck out the final two hitters of the game.
Diablo Valley scored two runs in the first inning off Mariners' starter Owen Hamilton. They loaded the bases with one out before an RBI single and a fielder's choice plated a pair for the Vikings. Hamilton pitched through the sixth inning and allowed just three hits the rest of the way before handing off to Lozovoy.
The Mariners managed just two baserunners through the first four innings and did not score their first run until the fifth. Conor Bardue singled to lead off and moved to second on balk. He moved to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch with Bogdan at the plate. His run cut the DVC lead to 2-1 at the time.
Berg was the hero for the Mariners with two hits including his home run, two RBI and a stolen base. Pomilia and Bardue each had a single and scored a run while Joey Loveless walked three times and stole a pair of bases.
Hamilton turned in a solid performance with six innings of six hit, two run ball. He walked none and struck out four. Lozovoy certainly earned himself the victory pitching the final three innings and allowing no hits, while striking out six.
The win pushed the Mariners back to .500 with a record of 8-8. They host the Los Medanos Mustangs on Tuesday, March 3rd at 2:00pm in Kentfield.